Two separate networks or VLANs for multipathed iSCSI.

[davy2k]

Dear All,
I have an existing Cisco 4948 x2 and about to configure iSCSI for storage for VMware my question is this is it a good idea or best practice to configure 2 separate VLANs for iSCSI multipathing if so can someone explain how this works and how do I configure this and what are the advantages of this config.

My idea was to configure a single VLAN for iSCSI for all the servers and storage ports.

Thank you

 

[meneerB]

we have esx4 and 12 servers, 150+ guests
2 san controllers, 2 cisco's, on each server 2 iscsi nics.

each nic goes to 1 cisco and 1 controller.
each server connects to the 2 controllers, if one path/sw/ctr failes, the other takes over.

and no routing between the switches/vlans!

I thought multipathing was a fiberchannel thing?

 

[unclerico]

It depends on the storage vendor. For example, we recently put in an EMC AX4 for some cheap extra storage space and to get true mpio they recommend to create two separate networks and placing one interface from each SP into each network. Also, consult the VMware documentation for storage as it will provide you with all of the fine details.

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